Accommodating Intraocular Lenses

Abstract

An accommodating intraocular lens includes an optic portion a haptic portion and a backstop. The optic portion of the lens includes an actuator that deflects a lens element to alter the optical power of the lens responsive to forces applied to the haptic portion of the lens by contraction of the ciliary muscles. Forces applied to the haptic portion may result in fluid displacements from or to the haptic portion from the actuator. The backstop provides support to the haptic so that bulk translation of the haptic is prevented in response to the forces applied by the capsular sac.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 642,388, filed Dec. 19, 2006; which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 971,598, filed Oct. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,737; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 734,514, filed Dec. 12, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,122,053, and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 433,046, filed December 12, 2002, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to intraocular lenses (“IOLs”) having optical parameters that are changeable in-situ. More particularly, the invention has application in IOLs for in-capsule implantation for cataract patients or presbyopic patients, wherein movement of the lens capsule applies forces to a circumferentially supported haptic to more efficiently induce trans...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an intraocular lens that can restore proper optical focusing power to the human eye. The lens includes a dynamic surface that is responsive to the movement of the ciliary muscles and lens capsule. The lens is hydraulically manipulated responsive to the forces communicated from the ciliary muscles through the zonules to the capsular bag. The actuator is coupled to a fluid column disposed in the lens and a haptic support structure, or backstop, supporting at least a portion of the haptic. The haptics have a cross-sectional configuration selected so that the internal volume of the haptic is small in an accommodated state. The lens is responsive to the forces applied by the capsular bag and the backstop prevents the entire haptic from translating in response to these forces. The actuator may be centrally located within the optic portion or disposed at the periphery of the optic portion to minimize refractive effects and optical aberrations in the optic portion. The invention also provides methods of making and using the lens.

Problems solved by technology

Since the lens can no longer accommodate, however, the patient typically needs glasses for reading.

After placement, accommodation is no longer possible, although this ability is typically already lost for persons receiving an IOL.

Although previously known workers in the field of accommodating IOLs have made some progress, the relative complexity of the methods and apparatus developed to date have prevented widespread commercialization of such devices.

Previously known devices have proved too complex to be practical to construct or have achieved only limited success, due to the inability to provide accommodation of more than 1-2 diopters.

According to Eyeonics, redistribution of the ciliary mass upon constriction causes increased vitreous pressure resulting in forward movement of the lens.

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